Out of the Blue and Back to the Black
written by Christopher Stadolnik
Vinyl sounds better. It's as simple as that. Real music is analog. And if your music is not created organically then you have more pressing issues to address than deciding what format your next media purchase will be on. My suggestion to you is to divert the money you have been spending on ecstasy and glow sticks towards the acquisition of some good music. After your sonic rebirth, return and finish this article. Those to whom this does not pertain may continue reading.
MP3 players are terribly convenient. But their convenience comes at a price. MP3 files are compressed by discarding some of the actual content of the song. The bit rate of MP3 files is generally 128?kbps compared to 1,411.2?kbps for uncompressed music on a CD. This means that when you listen to an MP3 you only listen to about one tenth of the actual song.
CDs also have their drawbacks. They offer a format with no audio degradation and are functionally similar to vinyl records. But unscrupulous music producers have sacrificed CD music quality in favor of louder mixes over the past decade and a half. The music industry has made a common practice of cutting the frequency response ranges. The perceptible difference between loud and quiet sounds in mixes is so the playback can be made louder.
Why, then, are records superior? They're inconvenient. They're bulky. They're fragile. And they're more difficult to buy. But despite all of their drawbacks, vinyl records have a distinctive appeal that the hardcore collector and casual listener can appreciate.
You can't touch an MP3. And, though there are some visually appealing CD case designs in the marketplace, there is nothing quite like opening a copy of Sticky Fingers with a working zipper cover, spinning the pinwheel on Led Zeppelin III, or thumbing through the leaflets in Live at Leeds. Art is, or at least was, an integral part of experiencing popular music. And holding a work of art in your hands while you listen to the music is a uniquely gratifying experience.
Vinyl sounds better. It is not subject to the compression loss and low frequency response drawbacks of MP3 and CD formats. Vinyl mixes also come in a format no one would ever dream of for a CD/MP3, monophonic. Some of the greatest albums of all time were produced in mono. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was originally produced as a mono mix (The Beatles were not present for the stereo mix down). Songs on the two mixes of the Sgt. Pepper's album sound unquestionably different (the mono is of course the better). Pet Sounds, Sir Paul McCartney's favorite album, was originally produced as a mono mix by one of the greatest rock producers/composers, Brian Wilson.
Acquiring vinyl can be as enjoyable as listening to it. There are new releases and reissues of older records available at Newbury Comics on 180-gram audiophile vinyls that sound fantastic. But there is really no substitute for the original pressings. They have a certain "aura" about them that cannot be reissued. Records are available cheaply at Salvation Army Thrift Stores. Though the "good stuff" is generally in questionable condition, with some patience and luck you can score some great finds (my greatest find to date: Led Zeppelin IV in mint condition for $2).
There are a few real record stores left in the city. Round Again Records at 278 Wickenden Street is a great spot. And Armageddon at 436 Broadway is a standout punk/metal/hardcore store. There are a couple other shops outside Providence for those lucky souls that have access to a car or would brave a RIPTA ride out of town. Zingg Music (formerly In Your Ear on Thayer Street) in Warren is an eclectic store, offering CDs, records both new and old, clothing, art, and musical instruments. The Time Capsule in Cranston sells comic books, movies, and other niche collectables as well as vintage vinyl. The average price per record is $3 which is by far the lowest price and the condition is generally good.
But before you go off and spend money you don't have, ask your parents where their old records are. Your attic may be loaded with Floyd, Dead, and Dylan records starved for love and attention. Your parents probably aren't cool now, but they may have been cool once. Why not take advantage of that?
SOURCE: http://media.www.thecowl.com
Saturday, November 8, 2008
THE RECORD RANCH LAUNCHES MUSIC-ONLY AUCTION WEBSITE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Record Ranch introduces auction site with record collectors and music buffs in mind.
Portland, OR, October 27-- The Record Ranch has formally launched its niche auction website at http://www.therecordranch.com. With the focus solely on music, The Record Ranch caters to obsessive fans and collectors worldwide. The website provides an affordable venue for music sellers to list items in auction and/or instant purchase formats. From vinyl to t-shirts to posters to 8-tracks, the category structure of the Record Ranch enables buyers to efficiently find just what they're looking for.
The Record Ranch's format is very similar to eBay, but finely tuned to the needs of music collectors. The pricing structure makes it a more affordable venue, especially for casual music sellers who can't qualify for eBay's Power Seller discounts. Basic listings are free. Enhancements such as subtitles and featured space on the home page can be purchased to spice up listings. Sellers also have the option to open a store free of charge. The final value fees are 4% for sold items up to $100, 3% for sold items between $100 and $200 and 2% for sold items over $200. Sellers may choose to accept payment via diverse methods, including Google Checkout, PayPal and checks/money orders.
Another big difference is the category structure. The Record Ranch is made up of “rooms”. There's a CD Room, a 78s Room and so on. Each room's genre subcategories were created with the obsessive fan/collector in mind. For example, if you're a collector of rockabilly 78s, there is a rockabilly subcategory in The 78s Room. This ensures collectors of a certain specific genre of music will find exactly what they're looking for much more quickly.
The Record Ranch's owner, Chris Celeste explains the overall concept of the site, “basically we're trying to give buyers and sellers an online equivalent of their favorite independent record store, minus the grouchy clerks of course. We want to connect sellers with buyers and buyers with sellers, plain and simple.”
About The Record Ranch:
Based in Portland, OR, The Record Ranch is a small team of record collectors and music geeks who also possess many years of record store, eCommerce, web development and design experience.
Contact:
Chris Celeste
Phone: 503.307.6862
Email: chris@therecordranch.com
http://www.therecordranch.com
###
Album Cover Art
Let's look at #45 of Gigwise.com's top 50 sexiest and dirtiest album covers (as compiled by their crack staff):
45. Scorpions: 'Love At First Sting' is the ninth studio album by the German heavy metal band Scorpions, released in 1984. Love at First Sting became the most successful album of the band in the USA where it peaked at number 6 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1984 and went triple platinum. The song "Rock You Like a Hurricane" reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the same year, "Still Loving You" reached number 64 on the same chart, number 14 in Germany, number 2 in the French and Swiss Top 50.
"Rock You Like a Hurricane" ranked #31 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs and "Still Loving You" ranked #22 on VH1's 25 Greatest Power Ballads.
An alternate cover showing a photo of the band members is used in several department store chains since they refused to carry the original album cover art.
45. Scorpions: 'Love At First Sting' is the ninth studio album by the German heavy metal band Scorpions, released in 1984. Love at First Sting became the most successful album of the band in the USA where it peaked at number 6 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1984 and went triple platinum. The song "Rock You Like a Hurricane" reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the same year, "Still Loving You" reached number 64 on the same chart, number 14 in Germany, number 2 in the French and Swiss Top 50."Rock You Like a Hurricane" ranked #31 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs and "Still Loving You" ranked #22 on VH1's 25 Greatest Power Ballads.
An alternate cover showing a photo of the band members is used in several department store chains since they refused to carry the original album cover art.
Friday, November 7, 2008
New Album Cover Art
The cover of the vinyl edition of Ryan Adams and the Cardinals' Cardinology, out now in the States from Lost Highway and due November 10 in the UK from Mercury Records Ltd. The first pressing of the wax finds the disc pressed into red translucent vinyl and accompanied by a download card (U.S. only), a bonus 7", 17 postcards from the current tour, and a lyric book and limited-edition t-shirt both designed by graphic novelist Leah Hayes.
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Britney Spears Unveils Circus Album Cover
Britney Spears released the cover art for her upcoming sixth studio album, due out on her birthday, December 2. Spears also announced that the next single will be the title track, "Circus," produced by Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco. It's the second cut on the album, after "Womanizer." The rest of the songs under Britney's big top include "Out From Under," "Kill the Lights," "Shattered Glass," "If U Seek Amy," "Unusual You," "Blur," "Mmm Papi," "Mannequin," "Lace and Leather," "My Baby" and as a bonus track, "Radar."
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SIRENIA - Cover Art For New Album Revealed
The cover art for SIRENIA's forthcoming album, The 13th Floor.
As previously reported, the tracklist for The 13th Floor is as follows: 'The Path To Decay', 'Lost In Life', 'The Mind Maelstrom', 'The Seventh Summer', 'Beyond Life's Scenery', 'The Lucid Door', 'Led Astray', 'Winterborn 77', 'Sirens Of The Seven Seas'. The album will be released on January 23rd, 2009 via Nuclear Blast.
Red Bull Vinyl Art Contest
Red Bull is looking for wax to exhibit in the museum.
RULES & REGULATIONS
If you think you can create a piece of art with an old record, submit your work before November 30th. The best entries will be exhibited at the opening night of the Red Bull Wax Museum at Norml Clothing.
Take any 12 inch vinyl record, new or vintage, and use it as your canvas.Art has do be done on one side of the vinyl only. Artists can use any type of material to realize the artwork, there is no restriction. By November 30th 2008, the vinyl must be dropped off to:
RED BULL WAX MUSEUM
c/o NORML CLOTHING
184 Rideau Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 5X6
Include your name, address, title of your artwork and opening price point. Only the top 40 submissions, as determined by the Red Bull Wax Museum, will be put on exhibit. All pieces will be sold by silent auction with 50% of proceeds going to the artist and the other 50% donated to Ottawa Drop-In Centre’s, through the ALL 4 DA KIDZ Foundation.
questions / comments should be directed to events@normlclothing.com
Vinyl Collective Best Sellers
Here are the top 40 best sellers (October) from my vinyl friend Virgil, over at http://www.vinylcollective.com
1 FALCON “God Don’t Make No Trash” 10? royal blue vinyl
2 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “Sink Or Swim Demos” 7? black/green half and half
3 Suburban Home SHOTGUNATOR
4 DILLINGER FOUR “Vs God” LP silver vinyl
5 DILLINGER FOUR “Midwestern Songs Of The Americas” LP doublewhiskeycoke
6 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “Sink Or Swim Demos” 7? yellow vinyl
7 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “Senor and the Queen” 10? white vinyl Import
8 AVAIL “Over The James” LP beer colored amber vinyl
9 THE GET UP KIDS “4 Minute Mile” LP blue vinyl
10 AVAIL “4 AM Friday” dbl LP brown vinyl
11 JOEY CAPE “Bridge” CD
12 THE SUICIDE MACHINES “War Profiteering is Killing Us All/ A Match
13 AVAIL “Dixie” dbl LP white vinyl
14 V/A “Delicious Vinyl: Fest 08? LP
15 FAKE PROBLEMS / LOOK MEXICO “Under the Influence Vol 1? 7? yellow vinyl
16 KID DYNAMITE “Cheap Shots, Youth Anthems” LP black vinyl
16 DILLINGER FOUR “Civil War” LP w/ digital download
18 TIM BARRY “Manchester” CD
19 V/A “All Aboard: A Tribute To Johnny Cash” LP pink w/ black splatter vinyl
19 JOEY CAPE “Bridge” LP army green vinyl
21 V/A “Revival Road” LP (w/ Chuck Ragan, Tim Barry, and Ben Nichols)
21 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “Senor and the Queen” 10? black vinyl Import
23 AVAIL over the james,4am Friday,dixie LPs (all 6 colors)
24 KID DYNAMITE “Cheap Shots, Youth Anthems” LP set of both colors
25 Teenage Bottlerocket “Another Way” LP clear w/ red splatter
26 TIM BARRY “Manchester” LP brown vinyl
27 SAY ANYTHING “Is A Real Boy” dbl LP white vinyl
28 DILLINGER FOUR “Midwestern Songs Of The Americas” LP blood red vinyl
28 DILLINGER FOUR “Vs God” LP silver/black a-side b-side vinyl
30 TWO COW GARAGE “Speaking In Cursive” CD
31 FALCON “God Don’t Make No Trash” 10? transparent red vinyl
32 KID DYNAMITE “Cheap Shots, Youth Anthems” LP translucent gold vinyl
33 Teenage Bottlerocket “Another Way” LP white w/ red splatter
34 DEAD TO ME “Little Brother” ep LP w/ download coupon
34 MURDER BY DEATH / WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE split 7?
36 DILLINGER FOUR midwestern/vs god LP deluxe edition 4 LPs,pint glass,t-shirt,cooz
36 DILLINGER FOUR midwestern/vs god LP deluxe edition 4 LPs,pint glass,t-shirt,cooz
36 ALL AMERICAN REJECTS “S/T” LP orange vinyl
39 PORTUGAL THE MAN “Censored Colors” LP purple w/ white and green splatter
40 THURSDAY/ENVY split LP 180 gram w/ bonus CD
40 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “The 59 Sound” LP black vinyl
40 TWO COW GARAGE “Speaking In Cursive” LP gold vinyl
1 FALCON “God Don’t Make No Trash” 10? royal blue vinyl
2 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “Sink Or Swim Demos” 7? black/green half and half
3 Suburban Home SHOTGUNATOR
4 DILLINGER FOUR “Vs God” LP silver vinyl
5 DILLINGER FOUR “Midwestern Songs Of The Americas” LP doublewhiskeycoke
6 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “Sink Or Swim Demos” 7? yellow vinyl
7 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “Senor and the Queen” 10? white vinyl Import
8 AVAIL “Over The James” LP beer colored amber vinyl
9 THE GET UP KIDS “4 Minute Mile” LP blue vinyl
10 AVAIL “4 AM Friday” dbl LP brown vinyl
11 JOEY CAPE “Bridge” CD
12 THE SUICIDE MACHINES “War Profiteering is Killing Us All/ A Match
13 AVAIL “Dixie” dbl LP white vinyl
14 V/A “Delicious Vinyl: Fest 08? LP
15 FAKE PROBLEMS / LOOK MEXICO “Under the Influence Vol 1? 7? yellow vinyl
16 KID DYNAMITE “Cheap Shots, Youth Anthems” LP black vinyl
16 DILLINGER FOUR “Civil War” LP w/ digital download
18 TIM BARRY “Manchester” CD
19 V/A “All Aboard: A Tribute To Johnny Cash” LP pink w/ black splatter vinyl
19 JOEY CAPE “Bridge” LP army green vinyl
21 V/A “Revival Road” LP (w/ Chuck Ragan, Tim Barry, and Ben Nichols)
21 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “Senor and the Queen” 10? black vinyl Import
23 AVAIL over the james,4am Friday,dixie LPs (all 6 colors)
24 KID DYNAMITE “Cheap Shots, Youth Anthems” LP set of both colors
25 Teenage Bottlerocket “Another Way” LP clear w/ red splatter
26 TIM BARRY “Manchester” LP brown vinyl
27 SAY ANYTHING “Is A Real Boy” dbl LP white vinyl
28 DILLINGER FOUR “Midwestern Songs Of The Americas” LP blood red vinyl
28 DILLINGER FOUR “Vs God” LP silver/black a-side b-side vinyl
30 TWO COW GARAGE “Speaking In Cursive” CD
31 FALCON “God Don’t Make No Trash” 10? transparent red vinyl
32 KID DYNAMITE “Cheap Shots, Youth Anthems” LP translucent gold vinyl
33 Teenage Bottlerocket “Another Way” LP white w/ red splatter
34 DEAD TO ME “Little Brother” ep LP w/ download coupon
34 MURDER BY DEATH / WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE split 7?
36 DILLINGER FOUR midwestern/vs god LP deluxe edition 4 LPs,pint glass,t-shirt,cooz
36 DILLINGER FOUR midwestern/vs god LP deluxe edition 4 LPs,pint glass,t-shirt,cooz
36 ALL AMERICAN REJECTS “S/T” LP orange vinyl
39 PORTUGAL THE MAN “Censored Colors” LP purple w/ white and green splatter
40 THURSDAY/ENVY split LP 180 gram w/ bonus CD
40 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “The 59 Sound” LP black vinyl
40 TWO COW GARAGE “Speaking In Cursive” LP gold vinyl
Album Cover Art
Let's continue of look at Gigwise.com's top 50 most sexy and dirty album cover art:
46. Bon Jovi: ‘Slippery When Wet’ –was recorded in Vancouver, Canada, is the third studio album by Bon Jovi, released on August 18, 1986. It is the band's most commercially successful album, selling over 12 million copies in the U.S. and over 28 million worldwide. The album was named the top selling album of 1987 by Billboard. Today it stands as one of the six best selling hard rock albums ever, and spawned two #1 singles, "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer", making Bon Jovi the first hard rock band to have 2 consecutive #1 hit singles. The third single "Wanted Dead or Alive" was a Top 10 hit, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The fourth single, "Never Say Goodbye", the album's signature ballad, reached #28 on the strength of airplay alone. Slippery When Wet stayed at #1 for 8 weeks, the record for a hard rock album on the Billboard 200. The album is the band's biggest selling album in the USA and is featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
The band also released an alternative cover because apparently they dislike the pink border- uh, what pink border- not what I am looking at.
46. Bon Jovi: ‘Slippery When Wet’ –was recorded in Vancouver, Canada, is the third studio album by Bon Jovi, released on August 18, 1986. It is the band's most commercially successful album, selling over 12 million copies in the U.S. and over 28 million worldwide. The album was named the top selling album of 1987 by Billboard. Today it stands as one of the six best selling hard rock albums ever, and spawned two #1 singles, "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer", making Bon Jovi the first hard rock band to have 2 consecutive #1 hit singles. The third single "Wanted Dead or Alive" was a Top 10 hit, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The fourth single, "Never Say Goodbye", the album's signature ballad, reached #28 on the strength of airplay alone. Slippery When Wet stayed at #1 for 8 weeks, the record for a hard rock album on the Billboard 200. The album is the band's biggest selling album in the USA and is featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
The band also released an alternative cover because apparently they dislike the pink border- uh, what pink border- not what I am looking at.
Guitar hero Les Paul ready for Rock Hall tribute
By JOE MILICIA, Associated Press Writer
AP – In this Feb. 26, 2007 file photo, Guitar legend Les Paul smiles at the Iridium Jazz Club in the Manhattan … CLEVELAND – When Les Paul's grandchildren are jamming on the video game "Guitar Hero," it's not lost on him that he made it all possible.
Paul, known as the "Father of the Electric Guitar," will be honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's annual American Music Masters series, a weeklong event that starts Monday.
Paul is a rock 'n' roll da Vinci, part artist, part inventor, and at age 93 still performs weekly at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City.
"It's therapy," Paul said Thursday.
Paul recalled that the first time he heard a guitar on his mother's radio he knew he had to have one. By age 13, he was performing semiprofessionally as a country-music guitarist.
He built a solid-body electric guitar in 1941 — an invention born from his frustration that audiences were unable to hear him play.
Paul remembers the moment when inspiration hit. He was playing at a barbecue stand somewhere between his hometown of Waukesha, Wis., and Milwaukee when a man told him his guitar wasn't loud enough.
It took Paul 10 years to sell the Gibson guitar company on the concept.
"They thought it was a crazy idea to make a guitar come through an amplifier," he said.
In 1952, Gibson introduced the Les Paul model, which became the instrument of choice for musicians such as Duane Allman and Jimmy Page.
"We now could be king because you could turn the level up and you could be heard and you could play things that you could never have played acoustically," Paul said.
Paul's other innovations include recording techniques like close miking, echo delay, overdubbing and multitracking. He also made his mark as a jazz-pop musician, recording hits like "How High the Moon" with his second wife, singer Mary Ford.
Paul was inducted into the early influence category of the Rock Hall in 1988.
He said he still tinkers with new ideas and is busy designing four new amplifiers and two new guitars for Gibson, including a model that beginners can afford but still fall in love with.
"Most of the people that I know that have a guitar love that guitar like they do their wife," he said.
Paul will perform at a tribute concert Nov. 15 that caps the American Music Masters series. He will be joined by a legion of guitar virtuosos, including Slash, Duane Eddy, Billy Gibbons and the Ventures.
"I'm very grateful to the generation that came after me and picked up the instrument and carried on with it," Paul said. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be where I am."
SOURCE: http://news.yahoo.com
AP – In this Feb. 26, 2007 file photo, Guitar legend Les Paul smiles at the Iridium Jazz Club in the Manhattan … CLEVELAND – When Les Paul's grandchildren are jamming on the video game "Guitar Hero," it's not lost on him that he made it all possible.
Paul, known as the "Father of the Electric Guitar," will be honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's annual American Music Masters series, a weeklong event that starts Monday.
Paul is a rock 'n' roll da Vinci, part artist, part inventor, and at age 93 still performs weekly at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City.
"It's therapy," Paul said Thursday.
Paul recalled that the first time he heard a guitar on his mother's radio he knew he had to have one. By age 13, he was performing semiprofessionally as a country-music guitarist.
He built a solid-body electric guitar in 1941 — an invention born from his frustration that audiences were unable to hear him play.
Paul remembers the moment when inspiration hit. He was playing at a barbecue stand somewhere between his hometown of Waukesha, Wis., and Milwaukee when a man told him his guitar wasn't loud enough.
It took Paul 10 years to sell the Gibson guitar company on the concept.
"They thought it was a crazy idea to make a guitar come through an amplifier," he said.
In 1952, Gibson introduced the Les Paul model, which became the instrument of choice for musicians such as Duane Allman and Jimmy Page.
"We now could be king because you could turn the level up and you could be heard and you could play things that you could never have played acoustically," Paul said.
Paul's other innovations include recording techniques like close miking, echo delay, overdubbing and multitracking. He also made his mark as a jazz-pop musician, recording hits like "How High the Moon" with his second wife, singer Mary Ford.
Paul was inducted into the early influence category of the Rock Hall in 1988.
He said he still tinkers with new ideas and is busy designing four new amplifiers and two new guitars for Gibson, including a model that beginners can afford but still fall in love with.
"Most of the people that I know that have a guitar love that guitar like they do their wife," he said.
Paul will perform at a tribute concert Nov. 15 that caps the American Music Masters series. He will be joined by a legion of guitar virtuosos, including Slash, Duane Eddy, Billy Gibbons and the Ventures.
"I'm very grateful to the generation that came after me and picked up the instrument and carried on with it," Paul said. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be where I am."
SOURCE: http://news.yahoo.com
This Date In Music History-November 7
Birthdays:
Johnny Rivers ("Memphis") is 66.
Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary ("If I Had A Hammer") turns 71.
Joni Mitchell ("Free Man In Paris") is 65.
Rock vocalist Nick Gilder, who went to No. 1 in 1978 with "Hot Child in the City," was born in London in 1951.
History:
In 1991, Frank Zappa announced that he has prostate cancer (he dies from it two years later).
The No. 1 album in the U.S. today in 1964 was Barbra Streisand's "People."
Bad Moon Rising: At a Doors concert in Phoenix in 1968, Jim Morrison asks the audience to stand up. That's enough for the local authorities to ban the group from the city. They suspected that Morrison was going to moon the audience as he had at a previous concert.
In 1970, MCA dropped 18 acts who purportedly "exploit and promote hard drugs through music" from its roster, according to label president Mike Curb. The unfortunate 18 include such incongruous hopheads as Connie Francis and the Cowsills. Eric Burdon, now fronting the successful rock group War, freely admits drug use. He is not dropped because his group is still selling records, making a mockery of the whole exercise.
The Rolling Stones play Hong Kong for the first time in 2003, headlining a concert to quell fears of a SARS epidemic. Reuters reported that The Stones and Neil Young charged such high fees for their appearances that it will cost Hong Kong taxpayers over $100 million.
The Madonna album "Something to Remember" was released in 1995.
Muskrat Love - The Captain and Tennille (Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille) renewed their wedding vows on their 20th anniversary in 1995.
A sixteen year old singer named Tiffany had the top tune in the US in 1987 with a cover version of Tommy James 1967 hit, "I Think We're Alone Now". His rendition stalled at number four. Tiffany became the youngest act to score a US #1 since Michael Jackson with "Ben" in 1972.
The Eagles' first studio album in nearly 30 years, "Long Road Out Of Eden", rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 200 chart in 2007 after selling 711,000 copies in the US during its first week of release.
Bruce Springsteen went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Tunnel Of Love’ in 1987.
Led Zeppelin released their third album in 1970, which entered the UK chart at No.1 and spent a total of 40 weeks on the Top 75.
Reg Dwight (Elton John) and his song writing partner Bernie Taupin signed to DJM publishing in 1967 and their signatures had to be witnessed by their parents because they were both under 21 years of age. Taupin answered an advertisement for a lyric writer placed in the New Musical Express, the pair have since collaborated on over 30albums.
In 1961, Ray Charles was arrested in Indianapolis after police discover marijuana and heroin in his hotel room. (guess he never saw that coming).
In 1981, Daryl Hall and John Oates achieved their third US number one single with "Private Eyes". Over the next three years, they would have three more. "Private Eyes" reached #32 in the UK.
Wango Tango- In 1974, Rolling Stone reported that Ted Nugent had won the National Squirrel-Shooting Archery Contest by picking off a squirrel at 150 yards. Nugent also wiped out 27 more of the small mammals with a handgun during the three day event.
1975- Yeah, this guy is famous- A guitar player named Steve Anderson set a new world record for continuous guitar string plucking at 114 hours 17 minutes.
Johnny Rivers ("Memphis") is 66.
Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary ("If I Had A Hammer") turns 71.
Joni Mitchell ("Free Man In Paris") is 65.
Rock vocalist Nick Gilder, who went to No. 1 in 1978 with "Hot Child in the City," was born in London in 1951.
History:
In 1991, Frank Zappa announced that he has prostate cancer (he dies from it two years later).
The No. 1 album in the U.S. today in 1964 was Barbra Streisand's "People."
Bad Moon Rising: At a Doors concert in Phoenix in 1968, Jim Morrison asks the audience to stand up. That's enough for the local authorities to ban the group from the city. They suspected that Morrison was going to moon the audience as he had at a previous concert.
In 1970, MCA dropped 18 acts who purportedly "exploit and promote hard drugs through music" from its roster, according to label president Mike Curb. The unfortunate 18 include such incongruous hopheads as Connie Francis and the Cowsills. Eric Burdon, now fronting the successful rock group War, freely admits drug use. He is not dropped because his group is still selling records, making a mockery of the whole exercise.
The Rolling Stones play Hong Kong for the first time in 2003, headlining a concert to quell fears of a SARS epidemic. Reuters reported that The Stones and Neil Young charged such high fees for their appearances that it will cost Hong Kong taxpayers over $100 million.
The Madonna album "Something to Remember" was released in 1995.
Muskrat Love - The Captain and Tennille (Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille) renewed their wedding vows on their 20th anniversary in 1995.
A sixteen year old singer named Tiffany had the top tune in the US in 1987 with a cover version of Tommy James 1967 hit, "I Think We're Alone Now". His rendition stalled at number four. Tiffany became the youngest act to score a US #1 since Michael Jackson with "Ben" in 1972.
The Eagles' first studio album in nearly 30 years, "Long Road Out Of Eden", rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 200 chart in 2007 after selling 711,000 copies in the US during its first week of release.
Bruce Springsteen went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Tunnel Of Love’ in 1987.
Led Zeppelin released their third album in 1970, which entered the UK chart at No.1 and spent a total of 40 weeks on the Top 75.
Reg Dwight (Elton John) and his song writing partner Bernie Taupin signed to DJM publishing in 1967 and their signatures had to be witnessed by their parents because they were both under 21 years of age. Taupin answered an advertisement for a lyric writer placed in the New Musical Express, the pair have since collaborated on over 30albums.
In 1961, Ray Charles was arrested in Indianapolis after police discover marijuana and heroin in his hotel room. (guess he never saw that coming).
In 1981, Daryl Hall and John Oates achieved their third US number one single with "Private Eyes". Over the next three years, they would have three more. "Private Eyes" reached #32 in the UK.
Wango Tango- In 1974, Rolling Stone reported that Ted Nugent had won the National Squirrel-Shooting Archery Contest by picking off a squirrel at 150 yards. Nugent also wiped out 27 more of the small mammals with a handgun during the three day event.
1975- Yeah, this guy is famous- A guitar player named Steve Anderson set a new world record for continuous guitar string plucking at 114 hours 17 minutes.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Rare Beatles film of '64 Kansas gig sells for $6,600
LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Rare film footage of an unscheduled concert by the Beatles in Kansas City during their first U.S. tour 44 years ago fetched 4,100 pounds ($6,600) when it went under the hammer on Tuesday.
The two-minute silent, color 8mm film was uncovered by American Drew Dimmel who attended the concert as a young boy in Kansas City in September 1964 but had forgotten about the footage until he was clearing out his parents' home.
The footage was estimated to fetch between 4,000 to 6,000 pounds.
"This was their first tour and what happened was this very rich baseball club owner (Charles O. Finley) promised to bring the Beatles to Kansas City," Alan Pritchard of Berkshire-based Cameo Auctioneers told Reuters Television.
"Unfortunately it wasn't on their scheduled tour so he talked to Brian Epstein, the Beatles' manager, and he persuaded them to come on their day off. I think he paid something like $150,000 for their 30 minute or so appearance."
Pritchard said Dimmel had managed to borrow his father's new cinecamera and took it into the stadium, passed it to his father's friend in the orchestra who took a clip of the Beatles doing their first number.
The Fab Four were besieged by fans during their first trip to the United States and were watched by a television audience estimated to be about half of the country's population when they played the Ed Sullivan Show.
But the concert at the Kansas City Municipal Stadium was only half sold-out with a crowd of 20,000 due to local animosity toward Finley, the owner of the Kansas City Athletics Baseball Team, according a lot listing on the auctioneer's Web site.
Other items up for auction included a Beatles "Please Please Me" vinyl record that sold for 2,000 pounds ($3,200), nine unpublished Beatles photographs that fetched 950 pounds, and a Beatles original concert flyer selling for 470 pounds.
(Editing by Belinda Goldsmith )
SOURCE: http://www.reuters.com
The two-minute silent, color 8mm film was uncovered by American Drew Dimmel who attended the concert as a young boy in Kansas City in September 1964 but had forgotten about the footage until he was clearing out his parents' home.
The footage was estimated to fetch between 4,000 to 6,000 pounds.
"This was their first tour and what happened was this very rich baseball club owner (Charles O. Finley) promised to bring the Beatles to Kansas City," Alan Pritchard of Berkshire-based Cameo Auctioneers told Reuters Television.
"Unfortunately it wasn't on their scheduled tour so he talked to Brian Epstein, the Beatles' manager, and he persuaded them to come on their day off. I think he paid something like $150,000 for their 30 minute or so appearance."
Pritchard said Dimmel had managed to borrow his father's new cinecamera and took it into the stadium, passed it to his father's friend in the orchestra who took a clip of the Beatles doing their first number.
The Fab Four were besieged by fans during their first trip to the United States and were watched by a television audience estimated to be about half of the country's population when they played the Ed Sullivan Show.
But the concert at the Kansas City Municipal Stadium was only half sold-out with a crowd of 20,000 due to local animosity toward Finley, the owner of the Kansas City Athletics Baseball Team, according a lot listing on the auctioneer's Web site.
Other items up for auction included a Beatles "Please Please Me" vinyl record that sold for 2,000 pounds ($3,200), nine unpublished Beatles photographs that fetched 950 pounds, and a Beatles original concert flyer selling for 470 pounds.
(Editing by Belinda Goldsmith )
SOURCE: http://www.reuters.com
Album Cover Stories
As always, I want to say a special thank you to Michael Goldstein over at www.RockPoPGallery.com for allowing me the exclusive right to reprint this fine material
Cover Story Interview - "Exhumed" by Grave, with design & artwork by Mike Hrubovcak
Cover Story for October 31, 2008
Subject: Exhumed, by Grave – a 2008 release on Century Media records, with cover artwork and design produced by Mike Hrubovcak.
Throughout the Cover Stories series, it has been my goal to show readers the art and artistry of the talented designers, illustrators and photographers who have created many of Rock Music’s most-intriguing cover images. We’ve seen psychedelic images, fantastic designs and the intimate photographic portraits of many iconic musical acts and highlighted most major musical genres. And yet, while we’ve learned about the inspiration behind Dark Side of the Moon, we’ve yet to really visit the real dark side of the rock world – Death Metal. For those of you who have, for whatever reason, not closely followed the Death Metal music scene, here’s a brief primer.
Death Metal was initially viewed of as a sub-genre of “heavy metal” and early practitioners drew much of their inspiration from “thrash metal” acts including Celtic Frost and Slayer. With the maniacally-fast guitar shredding and impossibly-fast drumming of acts such as Death, Morbid Angel and Possessed setting the example for many others to follow (and, early on, the support of popular record labels including Earache and Roadrunner Records), Death Metal emerged as a genre of its own beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s.
While the musicianship is undeniable, the genre has, for most part, remained outside of the mainstream – in terms of distribution and press coverage – due primarily to the principal themes of the songwriting (i.e., death, destruction, mayhem) and the accompanying lyrics and visual imagery (and replicated on-stage by many of the acts, as well).
Take, for example, the inspiration for today’s cover story. Originally known as Corpse and then as Putrefaction, the re-christened band from Visby, Sweden named Grave burst from the Swedish death metal scene in the late '80s (1988). They built a strong fan base after the release of their soon-to-be-classic (in death metal circles) debut record, 1991’s Into The Grave. This was followed by a tour of Europe and the U.S. and the release of their second album, You'll Never See (1992). Following a series of personnel changes, the band continued to record and tour on and off throughout the 1990s, with some of these performances captured live for release as a CD (Extremely Rotten Live) and on DVD (Enraptured, released in 2006). Some of Grave's current and past members have played in several notable bands such as Entombed, Face Down, Kaamos, Krux, The Project Hate and Therion.
Throughout their history, Grave’s records (and most recordings in the genre) have been packaged with covers that feature images that, for the most part, would scare (and, sometimes, disgust) most typical music buyers – these are the over-the-top images that only fans of slasher/gore-fest movies can fully appreciate. And yet, most people who truly understand and appreciate the history of painting and illustration realize that, throughout History, the works of “the Masters” have graphically depicted scenes of war, torture, crucifixions, lions maiming slaves, death camps and most other examples of man’s inhumanity to man. No one can question the technical mastery of these artists or, in some cases, can deny the dark beauty of some of the most-disturbing scenes brought to the canvas. Dark, intricately-detailed illustrations by modern masters such as Mati Klarwein and H.R. Giger have graced record covers and posters and, while they caused public uproars when they were first introduced, they’re considered as masterworks now.
It is with this in mind, coincidentally at the time when some celebrate All Hallows Eve, All Saints' Eve, Samhain, etc., that we present an interview with one of the genre’s current masters (and active participant in the music scene), illustrator Mike Hrubovcak. As you’ll see, the process of creating eye/vein-popping cover art for fans of death metal is a familiar one, but with a few sinister twists, as evidenced in today’s Cover Story. Grab a shovel and some new batteries for your flashlight, then read on…
In the words of the artist, Mike Hrubovcak (interviewed October 2008) –
I was originally contacted by the Century Media record label when they were looking for an album cover for a new thrash band called Warbinger they had just signed. Marco Barbieri from Century Media had told me that he's been a fan of my work for a while now and was interested in working with me. Apparently he had seen my artwork for other bands floating around (probably bands like Mortician, Sinister, Cattle Decapitation, etc.), and had seen the work I did recently for the thrash band Rumpelstiltskin Grinder (on Relapse Records - see below) and thought they'd try me out for the Warbringer record.
Unfortunately - I think due to time-constraints - they decided to go with another artist for that cover. Looking back it would have been great to work on that cover, but then they offered me the "Best of Grave” collection". I have been a huge fan of Grave since my youth - and a natural “death metal kinda guy” - so this was a fitting project for me to work on and had me pulling out my old Grave tapes to throw on for inspiration.
When Marco and I were talking about a concept for the cover, he had the idea that, since the album was going to be called "Exhumed", it'd be neat to feature a cover from the "worm’s eye view” of a corpse in a grave looking up toward the sky/tombstone, as if he's awakening and rising from the dead. So, with Marco's direction, I just took the idea and ran with it. Originally, I had a different perspective set up in my mind, of having a decrepit grave overgrown with weeds somewhere in the middle of the woods - as if it was an abandoned cemetery - with a corpse rising from it. I actually prefer and like Marco’s idea better though and I'm glad we went with it. The perspective is fresh and unique and grabs your attention right away without actually showing the corpse.
Most of my covers are custom-designed and geared toward the idea or concept of the band or label. I do, however, do my own personal work that will periodically get licensed for use on album covers, but it’s hard for me to actually take the time to do my own personal work since normally I'm just too busy doing custom jobs all the time for the extra cash.
Anyway, since this was a "best of" album, I was already familiar with most of the band’s music from their earlier albums - especially all of the old material which I had grown up with as a kid. I was fanatical over the Into The Grave and You'll Never See... albums and have always been a fan of old-school Death Metal, so I wanted to go for that old feeling I’d had as a kid, and that was my defining inspiration. I would play the albums as I worked on the cover while trying to let my mind interpret those dark feelings into the motivation for my hands and then into image itself.
If I remember correctly, I had about a month or so to do the album art. Normally, I like to allow myself 2-4 weeks, but sometimes - especially when I'm super into doing the work, like I was with this piece - I under-estimate how fast a work will come together and I end up getting a cover done quicker than I had planned. I think the quickest cover I ever did was the one for Mortician’s Re-animated Dead Flesh. That took me less than a week, just because I was also super into it as well and would stay up into the early hours of the morning working on it for the tight deadline.
I think this one only took about 2 weeks or so for the actual cover illustration, but then I also had to do the artwork and design for the 16-page booklet and packaging layout as well, so that added another week to the total project.
To create basic image for the cover, I used my digital camera to shoot photo reference pictures. I actually went to my local cemetery and photographed some tombstones and some up shots of dead trees. Conveniently, it was right after winter and all the trees were still dead. Also, one night after a rain storm, I went out into my back patio area and got all dirty by smearing my hands in the mud and taking photo reference shots of my arms in various poses as well. Luckily, I think I hit the nail on the head and they liked the first image I sent them. It usually works that way, and once I complete the cover, I'll send the client a preview sample through email to check out. It’s pretty rare when a band or label actually makes me change something. I guess I'm lucky in that way, because changing something after I've completed an illustration is a real pain in the ass.
In the end, Marco and Century Media were completely professional and it was a pleasure working with them - I hope to work with them again sometime in the future. They have a lot of bands that I personally like, so getting the chance to produce artwork for any of them would be an honor.
(These are some pix of the images Mike created for the CD booklet and tray liner - including an alternate version of the tray liner. Click on an image to see a larger version.)
The album will be released sometime in November, but I’ve already gotten plenty of comments though from posting it on my website, etc. People say that it's totally creepy looking. Creepy and dark, but without the explicit gore that a lot of my custom artwork normally features - I think its one of my more professional pieces to date. I’m looking to break into more of the commercial side of horror, and since most of my favorite bands are on labels that would have problems distributing the explicit gore, it would have to be dark and creepy while still being acceptable enough for “big-box retail stores” like Wal-Mart to stock it on their shelves. This was primarily a collection of older songs, so I tried to summon those old-school feelings. Hopefully, that effort came across and all the old Grave fans buying this collection will share those same feelings.
About the artist, Mike Hrubovcak –
The picture on the left features Mike on stage with Monstrosity headlining the FTC Festival in Germany. The image on the right was taken from a photo shoot with Monstrosity in Florida just before our tour of Mexico.
Mike Hrubovcak is an artist based out of the Philadelphia/NYC area and has been heavily involved in the metal/horror scene since 1992. In his own words – “My artistic release first began with oil painting and airbrush. Throughout college, I started doing more artwork on the a computer within Photoshop and found that incorporating several mediums (painting, drawing & photo-manipulation) into the computer really allowed me the flexibility to express my art on a whole new level. Over the years I've had the pleasure of working with many great bands, magazines and record labels worldwide. I currently maintain a day-job working as a graphic designer at an Adult Novelty company while doing the work featured on my site - visualdarkness.com - on the side as a freelancer. I also currently sing for the bands MONSTROSITY and VILE and have stayed busy with former bands DIVINE RAPTURE, I.C.E. and my own solo project AZURE EMOTE."
A few clients I’ve worked with have included: Revolver Magazine, the record labels Century Media Records and Relapse Records, and acts such as Sinister, Inhume, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder (see latest cover, below), Avulsed, Cattle Decapitation, XXX Maniak, Aurora Borealis, I.C.E. and many more..
To see more of Mike’s work, please visit his web site at
http://www.visualdarkness.com
To learn more about this (and other) releases on Century Media Records, please visit their website at
http://www.centurymedia.com/us/index.php
To see the complete selection of album cover art available for sale at RockPoP Gallery, visit our site at http://www.rockpopgallery.com
About Cover Stories - Our series of interviews will give you, the music and art fan, a look at "the making of" the illustrations, photographs and designs of many of the most-recognized and influential images that have served to package and promote your all-time-favorite recordings.
In each Cover Story, we'll meet the artists, designers and photographers who produced these works of art and learn what motivated them, what processes they used, how they collaborated (or fought) with the musical acts, their management, their labels, etc. - all of the things that influenced the final product you saw then and still see today.
We hope that you enjoy these looks behind the scenes of the music-related art business and that you'll share your stories with us and fellow fans about what role these works of art - and the music they covered - played in your lives.
All images featured in this Cover Story are Copyright 2008, Mike Hrubovcak - All rights reserved. Except as noted, all other text Copyright 2008 - Mike Goldstein & RockPoP Gallery (www.rockpopgallery.com) - All rights reserved.
Cover Story Interview - "Exhumed" by Grave, with design & artwork by Mike Hrubovcak
Cover Story for October 31, 2008
Subject: Exhumed, by Grave – a 2008 release on Century Media records, with cover artwork and design produced by Mike Hrubovcak.
Throughout the Cover Stories series, it has been my goal to show readers the art and artistry of the talented designers, illustrators and photographers who have created many of Rock Music’s most-intriguing cover images. We’ve seen psychedelic images, fantastic designs and the intimate photographic portraits of many iconic musical acts and highlighted most major musical genres. And yet, while we’ve learned about the inspiration behind Dark Side of the Moon, we’ve yet to really visit the real dark side of the rock world – Death Metal. For those of you who have, for whatever reason, not closely followed the Death Metal music scene, here’s a brief primer.
Death Metal was initially viewed of as a sub-genre of “heavy metal” and early practitioners drew much of their inspiration from “thrash metal” acts including Celtic Frost and Slayer. With the maniacally-fast guitar shredding and impossibly-fast drumming of acts such as Death, Morbid Angel and Possessed setting the example for many others to follow (and, early on, the support of popular record labels including Earache and Roadrunner Records), Death Metal emerged as a genre of its own beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s.
While the musicianship is undeniable, the genre has, for most part, remained outside of the mainstream – in terms of distribution and press coverage – due primarily to the principal themes of the songwriting (i.e., death, destruction, mayhem) and the accompanying lyrics and visual imagery (and replicated on-stage by many of the acts, as well).
Take, for example, the inspiration for today’s cover story. Originally known as Corpse and then as Putrefaction, the re-christened band from Visby, Sweden named Grave burst from the Swedish death metal scene in the late '80s (1988). They built a strong fan base after the release of their soon-to-be-classic (in death metal circles) debut record, 1991’s Into The Grave. This was followed by a tour of Europe and the U.S. and the release of their second album, You'll Never See (1992). Following a series of personnel changes, the band continued to record and tour on and off throughout the 1990s, with some of these performances captured live for release as a CD (Extremely Rotten Live) and on DVD (Enraptured, released in 2006). Some of Grave's current and past members have played in several notable bands such as Entombed, Face Down, Kaamos, Krux, The Project Hate and Therion.
Throughout their history, Grave’s records (and most recordings in the genre) have been packaged with covers that feature images that, for the most part, would scare (and, sometimes, disgust) most typical music buyers – these are the over-the-top images that only fans of slasher/gore-fest movies can fully appreciate. And yet, most people who truly understand and appreciate the history of painting and illustration realize that, throughout History, the works of “the Masters” have graphically depicted scenes of war, torture, crucifixions, lions maiming slaves, death camps and most other examples of man’s inhumanity to man. No one can question the technical mastery of these artists or, in some cases, can deny the dark beauty of some of the most-disturbing scenes brought to the canvas. Dark, intricately-detailed illustrations by modern masters such as Mati Klarwein and H.R. Giger have graced record covers and posters and, while they caused public uproars when they were first introduced, they’re considered as masterworks now.
It is with this in mind, coincidentally at the time when some celebrate All Hallows Eve, All Saints' Eve, Samhain, etc., that we present an interview with one of the genre’s current masters (and active participant in the music scene), illustrator Mike Hrubovcak. As you’ll see, the process of creating eye/vein-popping cover art for fans of death metal is a familiar one, but with a few sinister twists, as evidenced in today’s Cover Story. Grab a shovel and some new batteries for your flashlight, then read on…
In the words of the artist, Mike Hrubovcak (interviewed October 2008) –
I was originally contacted by the Century Media record label when they were looking for an album cover for a new thrash band called Warbinger they had just signed. Marco Barbieri from Century Media had told me that he's been a fan of my work for a while now and was interested in working with me. Apparently he had seen my artwork for other bands floating around (probably bands like Mortician, Sinister, Cattle Decapitation, etc.), and had seen the work I did recently for the thrash band Rumpelstiltskin Grinder (on Relapse Records - see below) and thought they'd try me out for the Warbringer record.
Unfortunately - I think due to time-constraints - they decided to go with another artist for that cover. Looking back it would have been great to work on that cover, but then they offered me the "Best of Grave” collection". I have been a huge fan of Grave since my youth - and a natural “death metal kinda guy” - so this was a fitting project for me to work on and had me pulling out my old Grave tapes to throw on for inspiration.
When Marco and I were talking about a concept for the cover, he had the idea that, since the album was going to be called "Exhumed", it'd be neat to feature a cover from the "worm’s eye view” of a corpse in a grave looking up toward the sky/tombstone, as if he's awakening and rising from the dead. So, with Marco's direction, I just took the idea and ran with it. Originally, I had a different perspective set up in my mind, of having a decrepit grave overgrown with weeds somewhere in the middle of the woods - as if it was an abandoned cemetery - with a corpse rising from it. I actually prefer and like Marco’s idea better though and I'm glad we went with it. The perspective is fresh and unique and grabs your attention right away without actually showing the corpse.
Most of my covers are custom-designed and geared toward the idea or concept of the band or label. I do, however, do my own personal work that will periodically get licensed for use on album covers, but it’s hard for me to actually take the time to do my own personal work since normally I'm just too busy doing custom jobs all the time for the extra cash.
Anyway, since this was a "best of" album, I was already familiar with most of the band’s music from their earlier albums - especially all of the old material which I had grown up with as a kid. I was fanatical over the Into The Grave and You'll Never See... albums and have always been a fan of old-school Death Metal, so I wanted to go for that old feeling I’d had as a kid, and that was my defining inspiration. I would play the albums as I worked on the cover while trying to let my mind interpret those dark feelings into the motivation for my hands and then into image itself.
If I remember correctly, I had about a month or so to do the album art. Normally, I like to allow myself 2-4 weeks, but sometimes - especially when I'm super into doing the work, like I was with this piece - I under-estimate how fast a work will come together and I end up getting a cover done quicker than I had planned. I think the quickest cover I ever did was the one for Mortician’s Re-animated Dead Flesh. That took me less than a week, just because I was also super into it as well and would stay up into the early hours of the morning working on it for the tight deadline.
I think this one only took about 2 weeks or so for the actual cover illustration, but then I also had to do the artwork and design for the 16-page booklet and packaging layout as well, so that added another week to the total project.
To create basic image for the cover, I used my digital camera to shoot photo reference pictures. I actually went to my local cemetery and photographed some tombstones and some up shots of dead trees. Conveniently, it was right after winter and all the trees were still dead. Also, one night after a rain storm, I went out into my back patio area and got all dirty by smearing my hands in the mud and taking photo reference shots of my arms in various poses as well. Luckily, I think I hit the nail on the head and they liked the first image I sent them. It usually works that way, and once I complete the cover, I'll send the client a preview sample through email to check out. It’s pretty rare when a band or label actually makes me change something. I guess I'm lucky in that way, because changing something after I've completed an illustration is a real pain in the ass.
In the end, Marco and Century Media were completely professional and it was a pleasure working with them - I hope to work with them again sometime in the future. They have a lot of bands that I personally like, so getting the chance to produce artwork for any of them would be an honor.
(These are some pix of the images Mike created for the CD booklet and tray liner - including an alternate version of the tray liner. Click on an image to see a larger version.)
The album will be released sometime in November, but I’ve already gotten plenty of comments though from posting it on my website, etc. People say that it's totally creepy looking. Creepy and dark, but without the explicit gore that a lot of my custom artwork normally features - I think its one of my more professional pieces to date. I’m looking to break into more of the commercial side of horror, and since most of my favorite bands are on labels that would have problems distributing the explicit gore, it would have to be dark and creepy while still being acceptable enough for “big-box retail stores” like Wal-Mart to stock it on their shelves. This was primarily a collection of older songs, so I tried to summon those old-school feelings. Hopefully, that effort came across and all the old Grave fans buying this collection will share those same feelings.
About the artist, Mike Hrubovcak –
The picture on the left features Mike on stage with Monstrosity headlining the FTC Festival in Germany. The image on the right was taken from a photo shoot with Monstrosity in Florida just before our tour of Mexico.
Mike Hrubovcak is an artist based out of the Philadelphia/NYC area and has been heavily involved in the metal/horror scene since 1992. In his own words – “My artistic release first began with oil painting and airbrush. Throughout college, I started doing more artwork on the a computer within Photoshop and found that incorporating several mediums (painting, drawing & photo-manipulation) into the computer really allowed me the flexibility to express my art on a whole new level. Over the years I've had the pleasure of working with many great bands, magazines and record labels worldwide. I currently maintain a day-job working as a graphic designer at an Adult Novelty company while doing the work featured on my site - visualdarkness.com - on the side as a freelancer. I also currently sing for the bands MONSTROSITY and VILE and have stayed busy with former bands DIVINE RAPTURE, I.C.E. and my own solo project AZURE EMOTE."
A few clients I’ve worked with have included: Revolver Magazine, the record labels Century Media Records and Relapse Records, and acts such as Sinister, Inhume, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder (see latest cover, below), Avulsed, Cattle Decapitation, XXX Maniak, Aurora Borealis, I.C.E. and many more..
To see more of Mike’s work, please visit his web site at
http://www.visualdarkness.com
To learn more about this (and other) releases on Century Media Records, please visit their website at
http://www.centurymedia.com/us/index.php
To see the complete selection of album cover art available for sale at RockPoP Gallery, visit our site at http://www.rockpopgallery.com
About Cover Stories - Our series of interviews will give you, the music and art fan, a look at "the making of" the illustrations, photographs and designs of many of the most-recognized and influential images that have served to package and promote your all-time-favorite recordings.
In each Cover Story, we'll meet the artists, designers and photographers who produced these works of art and learn what motivated them, what processes they used, how they collaborated (or fought) with the musical acts, their management, their labels, etc. - all of the things that influenced the final product you saw then and still see today.
We hope that you enjoy these looks behind the scenes of the music-related art business and that you'll share your stories with us and fellow fans about what role these works of art - and the music they covered - played in your lives.
All images featured in this Cover Story are Copyright 2008, Mike Hrubovcak - All rights reserved. Except as noted, all other text Copyright 2008 - Mike Goldstein & RockPoP Gallery (www.rockpopgallery.com) - All rights reserved.
Music News
Kinks Working on New Album
The Kinks have started working on a new album ... but it might not be good enough to see the light of day.
Front man Ray Davies told BBC News that he and his act have reconvened in the studio to test the waters for a new record. Davies said the writing process is going to be more collaborative than his top-down dominance of the band in the past, and that if the band deems the songs to be subpar, won't release the new material.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Mighty Mighty Bosstones Working on New Album
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have been mighty, mighty busy working on a new album.
The third-wave ska act started writing and recording new songs for an upcoming new album, the band announced on its web page. Two cuts from the record, "Impossible Dream" and "Next to Nothing" will be released as a limited-edition 7-inch next month through the band's own Big Rig Records label.
No title or release date has been revealed for the album, which will follow up 2002's A Jackknife to a Swan (review) (Side One Dummy) and this year's rarities collection, Medium Rare (review) (Big Rig).
----------------------------------------------------------------
New Springsteen Album May Come As Soon as January
Bruce Springsteen has been very busy traveling around the country playing shows in support of Barack Obama. His song, The Rising, was even the first one played over the loudspeakers at last night's historic victory celebration in Chicago's Grant Park.
Two night's before, Springsteen played the final rally in Cleveland and one of the songs he played was Workin' on a Dream, a duet with wife Patti Scialfa. According to the Springsteen site Backstreets.com "The song has been recorded for the follow-up to Magic, which Springsteen has been working on this fall, an album expected to see release around the time of the Presidential Inauguration in January 2009."
Nothing else is really known about the pending release other than there was quite a few extra tracks recorded dring the Magic sessions and that they may make up the bulk of the album.
The Kinks have started working on a new album ... but it might not be good enough to see the light of day.
Front man Ray Davies told BBC News that he and his act have reconvened in the studio to test the waters for a new record. Davies said the writing process is going to be more collaborative than his top-down dominance of the band in the past, and that if the band deems the songs to be subpar, won't release the new material.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Mighty Mighty Bosstones Working on New Album
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have been mighty, mighty busy working on a new album.
The third-wave ska act started writing and recording new songs for an upcoming new album, the band announced on its web page. Two cuts from the record, "Impossible Dream" and "Next to Nothing" will be released as a limited-edition 7-inch next month through the band's own Big Rig Records label.
No title or release date has been revealed for the album, which will follow up 2002's A Jackknife to a Swan (review) (Side One Dummy) and this year's rarities collection, Medium Rare (review) (Big Rig).
----------------------------------------------------------------
New Springsteen Album May Come As Soon as January
Bruce Springsteen has been very busy traveling around the country playing shows in support of Barack Obama. His song, The Rising, was even the first one played over the loudspeakers at last night's historic victory celebration in Chicago's Grant Park.
Two night's before, Springsteen played the final rally in Cleveland and one of the songs he played was Workin' on a Dream, a duet with wife Patti Scialfa. According to the Springsteen site Backstreets.com "The song has been recorded for the follow-up to Magic, which Springsteen has been working on this fall, an album expected to see release around the time of the Presidential Inauguration in January 2009."
Nothing else is really known about the pending release other than there was quite a few extra tracks recorded dring the Magic sessions and that they may make up the bulk of the album.
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